Islamabad, 28 February (HS): The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Thursday unanimously approved the constitutional amendments proposed by FIFA, raising the country’s chances of returning to international football.

On February 6, FIFA imposed an international suspension on Pakistan for the third time in eight years after the PFF rejected electoral reforms.

The PFF approved the amendments by a vote of 23-0 at an extraordinary congress held in Lahore. FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officials were also present at the meeting.

The PFF said in a statement, The congress members supported the amendments proposed by FIFA in the best interest of Pakistan football, paving the way for the national team’s participation in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers after the suspension of FIFA is expected to be lifted.

Pakistan remained hopeful the suspension will be lifted in time to play Syria on March 25 in its first qualifier for the 2027 Asian Cup.

The AFC has told the PFF that the ban must be lifted by Tuesday so that the team can participate in the qualifiers.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar